Defence Safety Awards 2005

The efforts of those Defence people and organisations who strive to improve Defence's occupational health and safety performance and practices have had their efforts recognised through the 2005 Defence Safety Awards, which were presented at the R1 Theatrette at Russell Offices in Canberra on Friday 13 May 2005.

The Defence Safety Award Judging Criteria mirror those of the SRCC. The categories are:

• Category 1 - Workplace Safety Innovative Solutions;
• Category 2 - Leadership Award for Injury Prevention and Management; and
• Category 3 - Rehabilitation and Return to Work Award.

Defence Safety Award 2005 Winners
Category 1 Winner: Defence Science Technology Organisation (DSTO)
Category 2 Winner: Defence Health Service
Category 2 Winner: Commander Australian Navy Aviation Group
Category 3 Winner: 1 st Health Support Battalion

Category 1 - Workplace Safety Innovative Solutions

For the Category of ‘Workplace Safety Innovative Solutions’, 6 submissions were received.

The winner is the Defence Science and Technology Organisation.

The role of DSTO is to ensure the expert, impartial and innovative application of science and technology to the defence of Australia and its national interests. Its core business is research programs based on the specific requirements of the Australian Defence Force.

The management of health and safety research programs previously consisted of a hazard identification and a control process using a paper based system. It was considered only an ‘add-on’ to research programs. The process did not measure the level of risk associated with the research.

Category 2 - Leadership Award for Injury Prevention and Management

For the category “Leadership in Injury Prevention and Management, 4 submissions were received with 2 winners selected in this category.

The winners are Defence Health Services and Commander Australian Navy Aviation Group.

Defence Health Service provides health care for Australian Defence Force personnel ensuring the preparedness for operations.The Defence Injury Prevention Program has been developed primarily to reduce the rates of injury to ADF personnel arising from various forms of physical activity and by design reflects international best practice.

The Defence Injury Prevention Program demonstrates exceptional leadership for workplace safety and return to work through a commitment to identifying injury problems and improving injury prevention and management performance with the Australian Defence Force that goes well beyond legislative requirements for management of OHS..

The Aviation Group, which sits within Maritime Command, provides aviation capabilities required to fight and win at sea, and to contribute to military support operations. The Aviation Force Element Group brings together all of the key elements that provide the RAN with its aviation capability.

Commander Australian Navy Aviation Group safety system encompasses training in Risk Management, Crew Resource Management and comprehensive safety education and awareness training. The Force Element Group maintains an independent accident and incident investigation capability and has a mature closed loop reporting system. It aims to have a generative safety culture supported by open and honest safety reporting and hazard tracking system.

Category 3 - Rehabilitation and Return to Work Award

For the final category “Rehabilitation and Return to Work”, 3 submissions were received. 2 have been awarded a Merit Certificate for outstanding contribution in implementing safety programs in the workplace.

The winner is 1 st Health Support Battalion.

1 st Heath Support Battalion Initial Employment Trainees Injury Management Program is responsible for the rehabilitation of medium to long term injured Army Initial Employment Trainees.

1 st Health Support Battalion Injury Management Program for Initial Employment Trainees was formed on 1 July 2003 in response to a lack of suitable rehabilitation and specialist medical services at most Army Training Command establishments.

1 st Health Support Battalion Initial Employment Trainees Injury Management Program aim is to restore Initial Employment Trainees to full health to the military standard of fitness after illness and injury. The Injury Management Program aims to return the member to training with a greater than average fitness level surpassing the minimum levels of fitness required by the Army resulting in a much lower risk of re-injury.

For information on 2004 Defence Safety Awards, please click here.

SRCC Awards

2005 Winners of Safety Awards - Media Release (word)

The Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission introduced its annual Safety Awards in 2001 to further the objective of achieving continuous improvement in injury prevention. In 2003, the Commission broadened the award categories from two to three to also recognise the importance of injury management. The three award categories for 2004 are:

• Workplace Safety Innovative Solutions Award
• Leadership Award for Injury Prevention and Management
• Rehabilitation and Return to Work Award.

Nominations for the 2004 awards were invited from all agencies covered by the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991 and/or the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988.

The application process was promoted by sending brochures to all heads of agencies, heads of corporate management, rehabilitation and OHS officers as well as through the Comcare web-site and agency forums. The judging criteria specific to each award category were listed in the brochure.

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